Warning Lights

Coming from behind you, they may be red and blue. As you sit in your car it may be orange. But whatever color it is, warning lights are designed to make us aware of some type of emergency or letting us know that our vehicle needs repair.

Usually when we see lights flashing, we slow down so that we don't find ourselves as part of the problem. If we see our "check engine" light come on, we have a mechanic check out what the problem is.

But what about your life? It would be easy to have a light go off when there is a problem. However, God did not give us one of those. He did provide us with events, people and most importantly the Holy Spirit to be the warning lights in our lives. One of the responsibilities of the Holy Spirit is to convict. Jesus says in John 16:7-8 "But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. [8] When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment." (Italics mine)

As believers, being indwelt by the Holy Spirit is to result in our producing or living out the fruit of the Spirit. And until we submit to the Holy Spirit's leading in our lives and allow Him to direct our path, we will never be able to walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16).

So, this is what we have to do. Take the Bible and read, study, and apply to our lives what we find. Then we must walk in the Spirit and allow the Spirit to produce in us: "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance" (Galatians 5:22-23). And at the same time we must flee "the works of the flesh which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like" (Galatians 5:19-21a).

Think about that check engine light. We don't like it when it comes on, but it sure can save us from a bigger headache later. Besides, I don't know anyone who likes to be stranded on the side of the road. So, take this warning and check your life and make sure that God hasn't sent a warning light for you. If He has, then don't ignore it, address it, confess it, and draw near to Him.